Researchers from the Eastbourne District Hospital, Eastbourne, England, find a possible link between serpiginous choroidopathy and Crohn's disease.

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Serpiginous choroidopathy is an inflammatory chorioretino≠pathy characterized by areas of choroidal atrophy and scarring.

The temporal association in onset suggests a possible link between serpiginous choroidopathy and Crohn's disease.

Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology

It has previously been described in association with various systemic granulomatous disorders, but has not been linked to Crohn's disease.

Additionally, there have been reports of ocular posterior segment abnormalities in patients with Crohn's disease, however these have not included serpiginous choroidopathy.

This report, published in the December issue of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology is the first to suggest a link between serpiginous choroidopathy and Crohn's disease.

The study subject was a 22-year-old woman who presented with serpiginous choroidopathy, and in whom Crohn's disease was diagnosed soon after.

The research team found that after starting treatment with oral prednisolone, no further visual loss or progression of the chorioretinal lesions occurred.

Dr Marta Ugarte and Michael Wearne concluded, "The T-cell mediated nature of both inflammatory disorders and the temporal association in their onset suggests a possible link between serpiginous choroidopathy and Crohn's disease".